Elena Catalano

🪔 About

Dr. Elena Catalano is a distinguished Odissi dancer, teacher, and scholar, presently based in the UK. Her artistic and academic journey is deeply rooted in an innate curiosity about the diversity of human practices and beliefs, a fascination honed by her higher studies in cultural anthropology. This academic background has seamlessly merged with her inherent talent for the performing arts. Elena Catalano has undergone extensive training in Odissi in India, notably at Srjan, Bhubaneswar, under the tutelage of Sujata and Ratikant Mohapatra. She also pursued studies in New Delhi through an ICCR scholarship and regularly participated in intensive workshops with her gurus, as well as with senior artists such as Madhavi Mudgal and Ileana Citaristi. In June 2017, she further enriched her training by attending an intensive workshop at Nrityagram. Prior to her immersion in Odissi, Elena's early artistic endeavors included training in artistic gymnastics, involvement in experimental theatre, and Italian folk dance. During her cultural anthropology studies at Universita' La Sapienza in Rome, she explored various dance forms including African, Middle-Eastern, Flamenco, Ballet, and Contemporary dance. As the founder and artistic director of Bhumi Dance Academy, established in London in 2017, Elena has solidified her reputation as one of the leading and most influential Odissi dancers in the UK. Bhumi's mission is to promote Odissi as a contemporary practice, grounded in traditional principles, while continuously evolving through pedagogical, artistic, and critical inquiry. The academy also engages in educational, community, and therapeutic settings, driven by the belief that dance can empower individuals and positively impact their lives. Academically, Dr. Catalano completed her PhD at Durham University, where her research focused on Odissi training and the embodiment of values. She currently serves as a dance lecturer at Kingston University, a position she commenced in 2014, teaching Odissi, yoga, dance anthropology, and research methods. She maintains an active performance profile as both a solo artist and a key member of the Odissi Ensemble, which she joined in 2015. Awards & Honours: Yuva Nritya Ratna (Young Dancer of the Year) (2017).